Combination stool, ladder, and kitchen block



R. G. GOBER April s, 1930.

COMBINATION STOOL, LADDER, AND KITCHEN BLOCK Filed MaLrch 26, 1928 INVENTOR.

fi/c/m RD 6. 6055/? BY A TTOR NE YS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1930 .1 i I UNITED STAT S PATENT oFF-ICE COMBINATION STOOL, LADDER, AND- KITCHEN BLOCK Application filed. March'126, 1928. Serial No. 264,597.

The present invention relates to improve' slightly toward the bottom. Each leg is pref ments in a combination article particularly erably made of two pieces. 3 having tapered useful in the kitchen ofa modern home. It edges 4: along the lower portionsthereof so provides a stool of about the proper height as to form a V as indicated-in Figure 2 when 5 for convenient use for a person to rest on joined together. Thejointbet ween these two 55 when working in front of the kitchen sink, sections is preferably reinforced by means of and is also adapted to. be pushed under the dowel pins 6. V Y sink when not in use. In combination with I On these two legs there is supported a platthis stool, I provide steps leading up to it form? the front edge 8 ofwhich recedes somelo and arranged like the steps of a step-ladder what from the front edge of the legs. Two 60 so as to make it easy to reach a position on horizontal braces 9 between the legs are artop of the stool, which is somewhat higher ranged in step-ladder fashion so that a perthan the ordinary kitchen chair, and brings son may conveniently step from one to the withinreach certain objects along the kitchother to reach the top of the stool. A substanen wall that may not be conveniently reached tially vertical brace extends between the two 65 otherwise. It is further proposed to comlegs and forms the rear wall of a cabinet the bine with this stool a meat block adapted to bottom of which is furnished by a, shelf 10. be swung from a position on top of the stool The steps as well as the vertical'member 9 to a concealed position between the legs of arepreferably sunk into the walls of'the legs, the stool. The idea of the hinged block is and the steps are provided with suitable mats 70 not only to keep the same clean while the 1 2. device is used as a stool,'but also to raise the "Hinged to the upper rear edge of the platheight of the stool to that of a kitchen table, form 7 is a meat block 13 of substantially the which makes it very convenient to chop or same dimensions as the top of the stool so as s 7 cut meat on the block. I furthermore asto lieon the same when the block is swung 7 sociate with the block a shelf to which a meat into active position. The block is preferably grinder may be attached, and whichmay be made of different layers of wood, it only bea used for various other purposes, and is swung ing necessary that the outer layer bema-de of with the block into a concealed position. first-class quality material; A shelf 14: eX- Further objects and advantages are obtends from the block beyond the I stool, and so tained by the specific structural features of maybe convenientlyused to support a meat my device which will appear in the following grinder or the like, for which purpose a U- specification. shaped metal plate 16 is'fastened upon "the The preferred form of my invention is iledge of the shelf which allowsa meat grinder lustrated in the accompanying drawing, in to be firmly clamped thereupon. I i 85 which i When the block and the shelf are-swung Figure 1 shows a rear view of my combi' downwardly into inactive position, they form nation article, a closure for the cabinet, and; may beheld in Figure 2 a vertical section taken along line place by any suitable locking means 17. The I i=0 22 of Figure 1, and vertical bracing member 9 is lightly spaced 9% Figure 3 a top plan view of the same. from the platform as shown at 18 to allow While I have shown only the preferred of ventilation'of' the cabinet for drying the form of my invention, I wish to have it unblock in case thesame should be moist after F derstood that various changes or'modificahavingbeen used. 1 j tions may be made within the scope of the A slot 19 is cut near the upper corner of claims hereto attached -without departing each legto allow ofconvenient handling of from the spirit of the invention. the device. Dowel pins21 are provided above In its preferred form, my combination artitheseslots to reinforce the wood'material. ole comprises a stool 1, including the two legs i The two legs are formed with inwardly 5O 2 arranged in spacedrelation and spreading turned flanges 22 along 'theirrear edgs','these 1:33

flanges serving as a frame for the swinging block and shelf. At the lower end of these flanges there are provided two casters 23. Each caster comprises a small plate 24 of spring material slit at the lower end as shown at 26 and bent to present two parallel sections 27 between which is journalled a wheel 28. The casters are arranged in such a manner as to normally keep the rear edge off the floor and to allow the device to he rolled over the floor with ease. When the device is used for chopping meat or similar operations, the spring casters give a certain resiliency to the entire device which serves as a shock absorber. When the crevice is used as a stepladder, the spring casters yield suificiently to allow the rear edge to come in firm contact with the floor so'that at such time thedevice rests solidly on the floor.

The manner of using my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description. Normally, the device may be used as a kitchen stool, and is of convenient height for a sink stool and similar purposes. 1V hen it is desired to use the device for chop- ;ing or cutting meat, the block 13 is swung upward on its hinge into the dotted-line position shown in Figure 2. This adds to the height of the device and makes for more comfort in handling the meat on the block, and at'the same time provides a shelf which may be used forcutting operations or ior attachinent of a grinder or similar purposes. After the meat block has been used, it is swung back into the position shown in full lines in Figure 2 so that the block is protected from dust While subject to ventilation through the aperture 18, which allows moisture that may have gathered on the meat block to escape. The maner of using the device as a step-ladder is apparent, and there needs only to be pointedout thatin this case the casters yield sufliciently to allow the legsflof the stool to stand firmly on the ground surface.

' I claim;

1. In a combination furniture of the ,character described, a stool comprising two side members and a-top member, a series of steps supported by the two side members and leading to the top from in front, a block hinged to the rear edge of the top for swinging mo.-

tion from a position .on top of the stool to a concealed position between the sides of the same and a partition interconnecting the sides for bracing the same and for separating the steps from the block in its concealed position.

2. In a combination furniture'of the character described, a stool comprising two side members a top member, a series of steps supported by the two members anrlleatling to the to from in front, abloci; hinged to the rear cage of op .f r s ingi giim tion from a .nositlionon top ofth a e to a concealed position between the sides of the same, a partition interconnecting the sides for bracing the same and for separating the steps from the block in its concealed position, the block having an extension projecting beyond the stool for forming a shelf when the block is on top of the stool and co-operating with the partition in forming an enclosure for the block when the latter is in a concealed position.

3. Inv a combination furniture of the character described, a stool comprising two side members and a top member, a series of steps supported by the two side members and leading to the top from in front and a block hinged to the rear edge of the top for swinging motion from a posit-ion on top of the. stool to a concealed position between the sides of the same, the block having an extension projecting beyond the steel for forming a cutting surface when the block is on top of the stool'and forming a closure for the rear of the stool when the block is in concealed position.

RICHARD G. GOBER. 

